Bar Mitzvah Handout

Bar Mitzvah

of

Jordan Micah Noble

Ze’ev Micha ben Miryam v’Tovim

 

November 5, 2011

8 Heshvan 5772

Torah Portion: Lech L’cha

Congregation Beth Shalom

Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen

Rabbi David Wechsler-Azen

Carry Cohn, Mentor

Welcome Family and Friends!

We  welcome you to Congregation Beth Shalom and are honored to have you share this special milestone, as Jordan is called to the Torah to become a Bar Mitzvah, a “Son of the Commandments”. By becoming a Bar Mitzvah, Jordan agrees to accept the commitment and responsibilities of Judaism, and is ready to become a member of the adult Jewish community and therefore morally and ethically responsible for his own decisions and actions.

We are overjoyed that you have traveled from near and far to be here today.  We are grateful for your love and support.  For those experiencing a Bar Mitzvah for the first time, it is our wish that you find it to be a morning filled with peace and inspiration.

On this day we remember Jordan’s grandfather, William Uttal and Marie Winzer, Jordan’s grandmother, who would have been very proud of their grandson and his accomplishments.

Thank you so much for coming,

Miriam & Tim Noble

The Service

As we begin the service, Jordan will take his place on the bimah of the synagogue and will receive his first Tallit (prayer shawl). Alongside Rabbi Nancy and Rabbi David, Jordan will commence leading this morning’s service, which consists of three main parts. The first is a series of blessings, prayers, and poetry. The second part includes the Barchu (call to worshop),  the recitations of the Shema (proclaimation of G-d’s oneness), and the Amidah (a prayer linking us to our ancestors).

The third part of the service is the reading of the Torah. After it is removed from the Ark, Jordan’s grandmother and parents will have the honor of passing him the Torah, in a way that signifies the transmission of this precious document through the generations. Jordan will then carry the Torah around the sanctuary, reminding us that the Torah belongs to all people. At this

time, congregants will touch their fingers, tallitot (prayer shawls) or prayer books to the Torah, then to their lips, as a sign of respect and love. The Torah will then be placed on the lectern, unrolled and read.

           The Torah reading is divided into seven sections. During the reading, family members and friends are honored by being called up to the Torah to receive an Aliyah and recite blessings praising G-d for the gift of the Torah. The final Aliyah is reserved for Jordan. He will be formally called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah to chant the blessings before and after the reading. At the conclusion of this reading, you may GENTLY toss the candies under your seats toward Jordan. This symbolizes our blessings for Jordan to have a sweet life, that is rich in mitzvot (good deeds).

Once the Torah is read, one person, Hagba’ah, will lift the Torah up so all the congregation can see the text. Another person, G’lilah, dresses it. Jordan will then read his Haftarah, a designated reading for this Shabbat from the part of the Bible known as the Prophets. After Jordan concludes this reading and the Torah is returned to the Ark, he will deliver his D’var Torah (words of Torah), his interpretation of this week’s reading.

At the conclusion of our morning service, we will recite the Kiddush (prayer over wine), and Hamotzi (prayer over bread).

 

Tradition and Symbols

The Bar Mitzvah ceremony involves the Jewish 13 year old being called to read the Torah. When used in English, the term also refers to the ceremony itself.

Shabbat or Sabbath, the holiest day of the week,  begins on Friday at sunset and continues until Saturday at sundown. This is the time for rest, study and family.     The Torah is the scroll which contains the five books of Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy) and encompasses Jewish religious practices, beliefs and laws. It is meticulously hand written in Hebrew with a quill pen on lambskin parchment.

The Ark is the main focal point of the Sanctuary. It is situated on the east side of the synagogue, so that we always face in the direction of Jerusalem.

Kippah (Yarmulke) is the headcovering that is worn as a symbol of modesty and reverence. A kippah is customarily worn by men, but women are welcome to wear one as well. You may take a kippah to wear and/or as a keepsake.

Tallit is the fringed prayer shawl worn by Jewish adults  when reading from the Torah. The fringes on the four corners are symbolic of the 613 commandments written in the Torah.

Honors

Tallit Presentation:  Tim & Miriam Noble

Poem: “If You Look At The Stars” - Liz, Nick, Stuart           and Sarah Sower

Ark Openers:  Bar Mitzvah Class

Aliyot—Honors

1) Carry Cohn & Benjamin Gould—Chana bat Chava v’Eliezer & Benjamin ben Devorah v’ Aaron

2) Susan Uttal—Sarah bat Yetta Fayga v’Ze’ev

3) Bob Comarow—Benyamin ben Freda v’Chaim

4) Ari Fuhrman—Aron ben Yisrael Shlomo v’Esther Taube

5) Elly Uttal—Yetta Fayga bat Esther v’Hershal

6) Tim & Miriam Noble—Miryam bat Yetta Fayga v’Ze’ev & Tovim ben Avraham v’Sarah

7) Jordan Noble— Ze’ev Micha ben Miryam v’Tovim

Hagba’ah: Jonathan Goldman—Jonah Ze’ev ben  Sarah v’Chaim

Gelilah: Susan Uttal—Sarah bat Yetta Fayga v’Ze’ev

Prayer for our Country: David and Laverne Noble